An Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, faced an ordeal during her transit at Shanghai airport, where she was held for over 18 hours. Chinese officials claimed that her Indian passport was invalid due to her birthplace being Arunachal Pradesh.
China asserts territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which led officials to declare her Indian passport unacceptable. In contrast, India consistently rejects this assertion, asserting the validity of its citizens' documents.
In reaction to the situation, India lodged strong protests in both Beijing and New Delhi on the same day. The Indian Consulate in Shanghai took immediate action, providing assistance and ensuring her safe departure from China.
India regards Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of its territory, affirming that its residents are entitled to travel on Indian passports. The detention was labeled as being based on unreasonable grounds by Indian officials.
Indian officials pointed out that the detention violates both the Chicago Convention (1944) and the Montreal Convention, which advocate for the recognition of valid travel documents and the facilitation of smooth international air travel.
Yes, there have been instances where China issued stapled visas to individuals from Arunachal Pradesh. Additionally, some sportspersons have been denied visas, which prevented their participation in events hosted in China.
This incident raises alarm as India and China attempt to mend relations following prolonged tensions in eastern Ladakh. Events like this undermine efforts to rebuild trust between the two nations.
During her detention, she reported that immigration officials mocked her and suggested she consider obtaining a Chinese passport. Furthermore, she was unable to contact her family for several hours.
After connecting with Indian officials, representatives from the embassy and consulate arrived at the airport. They provided food, communicated with Chinese authorities, and ensured she could complete her travel plans.
China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as part of "South Tibet," a claim that India categorically denies. Consequently, residents from Arunachal Pradesh may encounter travel challenges when attempting to visit China.
Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh can legally travel on Indian passports. However, due to China's territorial assertions, transit or travel through China may present difficulties, thus making prior caution advisable.
This incident underscores the ongoing border-related tensions that impact civilian travel and highlights the necessity for diplomatic clarity in managing such situations.
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